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Special Edition:
August 31, 2011
RCGA Honors Legislative Champions with
Statesman Awards
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RCGA Board Chairman Tom Voss, Chairman,
President
& CEO of Ameren Corporation, at the
awards reception
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The RCGA recently hosted its annual Statesman Awards
reception, which recognizes Missouri and Illinois legislators who
have distinguished themselves through outstanding leadership and
support of economic development in the bi-state region.
This year the RCGA presented 20 legislators with a
Statesman Award in honor of their efforts to improve our business
climate, create economic opportunities and overcome significant
budget shortfalls in both states. These efforts build on previous advances
that have strengthened the metropolitan region, and are
appreciated by the business community. See below for a
list of this year's Statesman Award winners, as well as photos
from the reception.
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The RCGA recognized 20 Missouri and
Illinois legislators for their efforts on behalf of the region at
an evening awards reception at Kemoll's restaurant in downtown
St. Louis on August 29th. More photos from the event can be
found following the list of award winners.
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The RCGA congratulates the following champions for
our region:
(presented in alphabetical order)
Illinois Senator James Clayborne, Jr. (D-Belleville)
Elected 1995
Majority Floor Leader
As Majority Leader, Sen. Clayborne is
instrumental in driving consensus within his caucus and setting
Senate priorities. This year he sponsored a bill that will
save businesses time and eliminate uncertainty when obtaining
mandatory water and air permits through the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency. Sen. Clayborne also worked
with other legislative leaders to address the state's budgetary
challenges by prioritizing spending and making cuts to existing
programs.
Missouri Senator Tom Dempsey
(R-St.
Charles)
Elected 2007
Majority Floor Leader
As the newly elected Senate Majority Leader, Sen.
Dempsey is charged with the difficult task of guiding important
legislation through the treacherous policymaking process.
Despite numerous obstacles, he helped bring a major economic
development package to a vote in the Senate, where it passed by
an overwhelming margin. He has also worked with other
legislative leaders over the summer to forge a compromise on the
measure so it can be considered during the Special Session in
September.
Missouri Representative John Diehl (R-Town & Country)
Elected
2008
Chair of Rules Committee
This year Rep. Diehl sponsored one of the RCGA's
long-standing priorities: the Missouri Science and Innovation
Reinvestment Act, advocating for strategic investments to foster
technology-based entrepreneurship and jobs. He also played
a major role in negotiating the comprehensive economic
development bill containing several key programs, including the
Aerotropolis Trade Incentive Act, both during regular session and
in preparation for the Special Session in September.
Missouri Representative Kevin Elmer
(R-Nixa)
Elected 2010
Vice-Chair of Judiciary Committee
Despite being a freshman, Rep. Elmer got right down
to business this year, sponsoring an Employment Law Reform
bill
that is a key
priority of the RCGA and the "Fix the Six" business
coalition. This
measure, which passed the General Assembly but was vetoed by the
Governor, would bring Missouri in line with federal employment
discrimination standards, limit the liability of supervisors,
tighten
"whistleblower" protections, and implement reasonable damage
caps.
Missouri Representative Barney Fisher (R-Richards)
Elected 2004
Chair of Workforce Development & Workplace Safety
Committee
As Chair of the Workforce Development & Workplace
Safety Committee, Rep. Fisher shepherds complex bills through the
policymaking process on a regular basis. This year he
sponsored an important workers' compensation reform bill relating
to occupational diseases, and saved Missouri employers $108
million annually by reducing the number of weeks of state
unemployment benefits in exchange for a temporary extension of
federal benefits.
Illinois Representative Tom Holbrook
(D-Belleville)
Elected 1995
Chair of Environment & Energy Committee
Rep. Holbrook has long been a champion southwestern
Illinois, and has been very involved in efforts to fix the levees
that protect businesses and residents in the American Bottom
flood plain. This year he sponsored a bill that was signed
by Governor Quinn to prevent the sales tax collected for the
Flood Protection District from being diverted to other purposes,
ensuring that the funds are used for levee repairs as
intended.
Missouri Representative Caleb Jones
(R-California)
Elected 2010
Vice-Chair of Economic Development Committee
Rep. Jones certainly had plenty to do during his
first year in office, as both the Vice-Chair of the Economic
Development Committee and as lead sponsor of the Aerotropolis
Trade Incentive Act, which would help the region leverage its
strategic location to create an international air cargo hub in
St. Louis. This bill, which is a top RCGA priority, passed
quickly and overwhelmingly in the House under Rep. Jones'
leadership.
Missouri Representative Tim Jones (R-Eureka)
Elected 2006
Majority Floor Leader
As House Majority Leader, Rep. Jones plays a key role
in determining priority issues in the House and shepherding those
bills through floor debate. This year his support for the
"Fix the Six" business coalition agenda items, including
employment law reform and phasing out the corporate franchise
tax, was critical to their success in the legislature. He
also supported important economic development measures, including
the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive Act and the Missouri Science and
Innovation Reinvestment Act.
Missouri Representative Tishaura Jones
(D-St. Louis)
Elected
2008
Assistant Minority Floor Leader
Rep. Jones is only in her second term, but she has
already ascended to a leadership position within her caucus,
which is a testament to her work ethic and respect from her
colleagues. She has supported the Missouri Science and
Innovation Reinvestment Act and the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive
Act, and continues to work to improve the state's education
system.
Missouri Senator Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City)
Elected 2006
Vice-Chair, Progress & Development
Committee
Sen. Justus has been a staunch supporter of the
Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, advocating for
strategic investments in entrepreneurship to spur the growth of
advanced technology companies and 21st Century jobs in
Missouri, rather than in Kansas. Her sponsorship of MOSIRA
helped keep this critical bipartisan initiative at the forefront
of discussion and contributed to its inclusion in the
comprehensive economic development bill now before Special
Session.
Illinois Representative Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon)
Elected 2010
Member, Small Business Empowerment & Workforce
Development Committee
Rep. Kay has worked hard as a new legislator to
improve Illinois' business climate through comprehensive workers'
compensation reform. This year he co-sponsored a bill
signed by the Governor to prevent an employee from receiving
workers' compensation if their injury was the result of a
criminal act. He also led the charge on a bipartisan bill
to conduct an audit of the state's Workers' Compensation
Commission, which passed the House unanimously.
Missouri Senator Brad Lager (R-Savannah)
Elected 2006
Chair, Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy &
the Environment Committee
Sen. Lager sponsored a major employment law reform
bill again this year, which was a top priority of both the RCGA
and the "Fix the Six" business coalition. He took the time
and invested the energy in understanding both the importance and
complexities of the issue. Despite staunch opposition to
the bill, Sen. Lager helped it pass the General Assembly, only to
see it vetoed by the Governor.
Illinois Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville)
Elected 1995
Assistant Minority Leader
Sen. Luechtefeld has been a vocal supporter of
measures to improve the state's business climate, including
comprehensive workers' compensation reform that includes a
stricter causation definition to make Illinois more competitive
with surrounding states. He was also a key negotiator on an
education reform law that holds educators and school
administrators more accountable through performance-based
initiatives.
Illinois Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon)
Elected 2009
Minority Spokesperson, Financial Institutions
Committee
Sen. McCarter worked tirelessly this year to reform
the state's workers' compensation system, sponsoring a bill to
require that at least 50% of the cause of an injury occur in the
workplace to qualify for an award. The workers'
compensation bill that passed this year made significant
improvements that will save Illinois employers some $500 million
a year. However, the bill did not contain a "causation"
provision, so Sen. McCarter continues to educate business owners
about this issue and intends to pursue further reform next
year.
Missouri Representative Jerry Nolte
(R-Gladstone)
Elected 2004
Chair, International Trade & Job Creation
Committee
Rep. Nolte championed many of the "Fix the Six"
business coalition priorities this year, sponsoring bills to
phase out the corporate franchise tax, extend the bond terms for
the unemployment compensation fund, address co-employee liability
and occupational disease in the state's workers' compensation
system, and ensure than Missouri's minimum wage remains
competitive with other states. He also advocated for the
Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, as well as
other economic development initiatives.
Missouri Senator Ron Richard (R-Joplin)
Elected 2010
Vice-Chair, Jobs, Economic Development & Local
Government Committee
Sen. Richard has long been a supporter of economic
development initiatives across the state. This year he
successfully sponsored a Senate amendment to the comprehensive
job creation bill to include the Missouri Science and Innovation
Reinvestment Act. He also sponsored a bill to create
incentives for high-tech data storage centers, which will be
included in the economic development package during the Special
Session next week.
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale)
Elected 2008
Chair, Jobs, Economic Development & Local
Government Committee
Sen. Schmitt worked tirelessly this year to explain
and build support for the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive Act.
As the lead sponsor of the bill, he played a key role in
negotiating a compromise so the legislature can pass the measure
during the upcoming Special Session. He also sponsored the
successful bill to phase out the corporate franchise tax and
advocated for the creation of several key economic development
programs, including incentives for dormant manufacturing plant zones, an
angel tax credit, and incentives to help attract
major amateur sporting events to Missouri.
Missouri Representative Mike Talboy
(D-Kansas City)
Elected 2006
Minority Floor Leader
In addition to leading his fellow Democrats in the
House, Rep. Talboy also co-chairs the Biotechnology Caucus and
has been a vocal advocate for the Missouri Science and Innovation
Reinvestment Act. This bill, which has received widespread
support on both sides of the aisle, would help entrepreneurs
access risk capital that is necessary to foster the growth of
advanced technology
start-up companies in Missouri.
Missouri Representative Steven
Tilley
(R-Perryville)
Elected 2004
Speaker of the House
Speaker Tilley supported many top RCGA priorities
this year, including the phase-out of the corporate franchise
tax, Employment Law Reform, the Aerotropolis Trade Incentive Act,
and the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act.
When the latter two programs died in an omnibus bill on the final
day of regular session, the Speaker displayed strong leadership
throughout the summer in reaching an agreement between the two
chambers on a comprehensive economic development bill to be
considered during the Special Session next week.
Missouri Representative Anne Zerr (R-St. Charles)
Elected 2008
Chair, Economic Development Committee
Rep. Zerr has shepherded many important job creation
bills through her committee and the House floor, including the
Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act, the
Aerotropolis Trade Incentive Act, and incentives for data storage
centers and dormant manufacturing plant zones. She also
worked hard on negotiations at the end of session to try to reach
a compromise with the Senate on the comprehensive economic
development bill, and will continue to be a key player on job
creation issues in the Special Session next week.
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Snapshots from the Statesman Awards
Reception
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Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale)
(right)
accepts
his Statesman Award from RCGA
Presidential Sponsor Jesse Hill, Director of Regulatory Relations
for Edward Jones.
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(from
left) University of Missouri-Columbia Deputy Chancellor
Michael Middleton and St. Louis Community College Chancellor
Myrtle Dorsey, both RCGA Ambassador Sponsors, pose for a photo
with Missouri Rep. Tishaura Jones (D-St. Louis).
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(from
left) Event sponsor
Bruce Holland, President & CEO of Holland Construction
Services, Illinois Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon), event sponsor
Gerry Schuetzenhofer, President of the Southwestern Illinois
Leadership Council, Illinois Senate Majority Leader James
Clayborne,
Jr. (D-Belleville), and Doug Sitton,
Chair of the RCGA's Illinois Public Affairs Committee and
Principal of Sitton Construction Group.
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Missouri Rep. Anne Zerr (R-St. Charles)
proudly accepts her Statesman Award from RCGA Board member and
Ambassador Sponsor Eric Cowan, Director of Public Finance for
Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
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Missouri Senator Jolie Justus (D-Kansas
City) (left) accepts her Statesman Award from
Ambassador Sponsor Diana Vuylsteke, Partner
at Bryan Cave LLP.
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Missouri Rep. Kevin Elmer (R-Nixa)
(right) is congratulated on his first Statesman
Award by Presidential Sponsor Gordon Reel, Assistant Vice
President of Government and Public Affairs for Enterprise
Holdings.
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Missouri Senate Majority Floor Leader Tom Dempsey
(R-St. Charles) (right) poses with Presidential Sponsor Warren Wood, Vice
President for Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for Ameren
Missouri.
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Illinois Rep. Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville)
and his wife Molly (both left) were all smiles
at the awards reception with Illinois Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen
Carbon) and his wife Nancy.
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Missouri Rep. Caleb Jones (R-California)
(center) with RCGA board member and Presidential
Sponsor John Sondag, President of AT&T Missouri
(right), and Craig Unruh, Vice President of
External Affairs for AT&T Missouri.
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Missouri Rep. John Diehl (R-Town &
Country) (left) accepts his award from
Presidential Sponsor Duane Simpson, Director of Legislative
Affairs - Midwest Region for Monsanto.
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Missouri Sen. Ron Richard (R-Joplin)
(left) poses with Presidential Sponsor Chris
Brescia, Vice President of Government Affairs for
RockTenn.
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Illinois Rep. Dwight Kay (R-Glen Carbon)
accepts his first Statesman Award from Presidential Sponsor Leann
Chilton, Director of Government Relations for BJC
HealthCare.
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Missouri Rep. Barney Fisher (R-Richards)
(right) pauses for a photo with RCGA Public
Policy Council Chairman and Presidential Sponsor Ted Powers,
Regional Director of Government Affairs for Anheuser-Busch
Companies.
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Illinois Sen. Dave Luechtefeld
(R-Okawville)
(left) accepts his
Statesman Award from event sponsor Dennis Wilmsmeyer, General
Manager of America's Central Port.
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THANK YOU!
The RCGA thanks the Presidential
and Ambassador Sponsors who generously support our government
affairs program throughout the year, as well as the Event
Sponsors of the 2011 Statesman Awards reception.
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